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Gas-fitting standards update

Gas-fitters should be aware that a revision of AS/NZS 5601.1 (Gas installations, Part 1: General installations) was published on 30 September 2022. Commencement of the standard pursuant to the Gas Safety Act 2019 is from this date and Gas Standards and Safety (GSS) will work with gas-fitters to assist with the transition to the new version.

The revised standard includes a number of significant changes, some of which are highlighted below (gas-fitters should refer to the standard for full details of the requirements).

Key changes:

  • Section 1.3 Terms and definitions
    • Clause 1.3.39 – New definition for a “fire safety system”.
    • Clause 1.3.65 – New definition for an “ignition source”.
  • Section 2 Essential safety and performance-based design requirements
    • Section 2 has been separated into “Essential safety requirements” and “Performance-based design requirements”.
  • Clauses 4.2 (Table 4.2) and 5.2.12 
    • Brazing prohibited within one metre of a joint with non-metallic components.
  • Clauses 4.2 (Table 4.2), 5.2.12 & 5.3.16 
    • Prohibition on the installation of multilayer pipe above-ground external to buildings.
  • Clause 5.2.9.1 
    • New requirement for the isolation of installations in educational institutions
  • Clause 5.2.9.2 
    • New requirement for the isolation of installations in commercial kitchens.
  • Clause 5.2.11 
    • Provision of fire emergency isolation for multilayer pipe.
  • Clause 5.3.14.5 
    • New drawings for consumer piping located in cavities (notching and drilling studs).
  • Clause 6.9.4 & (Figure 6.9.4) 
    • Revised requirements for the location of flue terminals under a covered area, in a recess or on a balcony.
  • Clause 6.9.5 
    • Gas appliance flues can no longer terminate in a roof space in Australia to align with New Zealand.
  • Clause 6.10.1.1 
    • Increased clearance requirement between domestic cooking appliances and rangehoods to align with IEC 60335-2-31, Household and similar electrical appliances — Safety, Part 2-31: Particular requirements for rangehoods and other cooking fume extractors.
  • Clause 6.10.2.6 
    • New requirements for freestanding commercial catering equipment with under-equipment connection.
  • Clause 6.10.2.7 
    • New requirements for the connection of freestanding commercial catering equipment using a hose assembly – high level connection.
  • Clause 6.10.2.8 
    • Restrictions on the use of semi-rigid connectors in the installation of commercial catering installations.
  • Appendix C – Thermal protection of combustible materials 
    • New requirements for the protection of combustible surfaces adjacent to commercial catering equipment.
  • Appendix F – Sizing consumer piping 
    • New pipe sizing graphs and tables, which are less conservative than the 2010 and 2013 editions of AS/NZS 5601.1. In particular, for complex gas installations with larger pipe diameters and longer pipe runs allowing for greater flow capacity for a given pipe size.
  • Appendix K – Gas in high-rise buildings 
    • Effect of altitude on gas supply pressure for high- rise building installations.

NOTE: This list provides an overview of changes and updates to AS/NZS 5601.1:2022.  It is not intended to be a substitute for the whole standard

Upcoming Face to Face Seminars:

GSS are planning to run regional seminars in February 2023. Notification of dates will be advertised shortly. GSS encourages you to contact your regional Gas Inspector on any changes for clarification.

Accessing the new Standard:

GSS expects practitioners to consult the complete standard to ensure they comply with all Means of Conformance requirements.

Last updated: 19 Oct 2022

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